The first step to starting a business is deciding to start a business. They say the first step is the hardest and in our experience this is especially true when it comes to starting a business. Getting over the mental roadblocks can be tough, often harder to overcome than the challenges you’ll face once you actually start the business. Fellow entrepreneurs share their thoughts below.

Kevin Shelton

At first my thought process was I’m going to start a business to just “work for myself”. I wanted to be financially free, plus the jobs I was trying to work didn’t align with my happiness and purpose in this life. I would always daydream about working for myself while working a 9-5 gig, but I struggled with what I could offer the world or the communities I live in. Read More>>

Rita Stevens

As parents of a special needs child, we know firsthand the challenges of navigating an often overwhelming system—searching for the right resources, building meaningful connections, and trying to find our way while feeling isolated. Our journey with our son, Bryson, was filled with moments of uncertainty and frustration. Read More>>

Mitz Pérez-Tapia

Hello!

Growing up here in Dallas, I saw love for Mexican arts everywhere—restaurants, friends’ parents’s homes, etc. When I moved to Mexico after college, I had the privilege to travel around the country and get to know the different mediums, techniques, and influences of Mexican craft. Read More>>

Justin Taylor

My thought process behind starting my own photography business was rooted in a combination of passion, purpose, and a desire to create lasting memories for people. I’ve always enjoyed the art of storytelling through visuals—capturing the emotion, the energy, and the essence of a moment. Read More>>

Samah Ahmad

The thought process behind starting The Matcha Bean really came from my deep love for matcha. I first tried it when I was 10 years old, and it honestly became a huge part of my personality. I was that ‘matcha person’ for years! As I got older, I thought, why not turn something I genuinely love into my career? I also noticed that while there were a lot of coffee carts around Dallas, there wasn’t a mobile cart dedicated to matcha. Read More>>

Yolanda Banks

The desire to start my business, Yolanda Banks Wellness, was born from both personal experience and a deep sense of purpose. After being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, I realized just how powerful and necessary a holistic approach to health truly is. Nutrition, mindful movement, and stress management weren’t just tools for survival; they became the foundation for my healing and thriving. And I thought, if I can heal myself, I can help others too. Read More>>

Whitney Kammerich

When I started Gilded Locks, I wasn’t just creating a brand — I was creating an experience I felt was missing.

I’ve been doing hair since 2016, but in 2021, while I was home with my newborn son, everything shifted. That time away gave me clarity. Coming back, I didn’t want to just return to work — I wanted to create something special. Something intentional. Read More>>

Sean

Starting my own business was driven by a mix of passion, necessity, and a desire for independence. I’ve always had a strong interest in the tattoo and tattoo removal industry, which fueled my creativity and problem-solving skills. One of the primary motivators for me was the opportunity to help individuals reclaim their confidence. Read More>>

Josh Rosenberger, Jay Holton, Zach Rosenberger

Josh: I really wanted to build something that was “mine” and to have a place where I could focus passion and energy that I don’t really get to put in my regular 9-5 job. I want to build something that I can not only share, lift up friends and family, but also pass down as a legacy of something great. Read More>>

L Rochelle Young

My thought process behind starting Dallas Exclusiv was rooted in my passion for creating memorable experiences and seeing the joy that well-planned events bring to people. I recognized a gap in the market for high-quality, personalized wedding and event planning and bar services that truly cater to clients’ unique visions. Read More>>

Elia

My thought process behind starting my own business was rooted in my love for baking and creativity. I’ve always been a very artistic person, and baking became an outlet where I could express myself. Starting a business gave me the chance to exercise and grow my skills—not just in baking and decorating, but also in sharing something meaningful with others. It was a way to turn something I love into something real and impactful. Read More>>

Shirley Melgarejo

I wanted something that combined everything someone would think of when starting a new project!. Whether it’s a business or a personal project, you never know when it can start something you’ve always wanted to do. No project is too small & I want to encourage anyone to take a leap at that. Read More>>